Improving local people’s opportunities in health, employment and community life since 1992 Weekly Newsletter Edition 65, 13 May 2021 What’s on at WEP – our free online Wellbeing and Employability services This week’s newsletter includes information about what’s going on in the local area, fun things to do and online projects to take part in. For back editions of this newsletter or to be added to the mailing list, please visit the link to our website: https://www.westeustonpartnership.org/about-us-2/newsletters/ or email [email protected]. Click on this link for the latest NHS information and advice about COVID-19 including social distancing, testing and tracing, self-isolation and vaccination - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-COVID-19/. To book an appointment for Careers Advice, CV surgery or a place on employability workshops email [email protected] or ring 07908845154. For information on Tai Chi, Yoga or Ability Bikes email [email protected] and if you want to know more about Study Support, WE CAN, or anything else email [email protected]. Projects, News and Activities Carol Chandrasakera – WEP Supporter, Volunteer And Friend We are very sad to announce that Carol Chandrasakera, a long-term WEP volunteer, has died suddenly of a heart attack. Carol volunteered with our health and wellbeing service since 2015 and was a founder member of the Regent's Park Singers. In all those years, Carol was always in good spirits, loved singing and kept us all organised and informed about what was going on. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. WEP Tackling Loneliness and Social Isolation – Wellbeing And Legal Help West Euston Connecting And Networking Check out these useful links: • https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/ • https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/ • Who is eligible to be referred for support? | NHS Volunteer Responders • https://workforgood.co.uk/charities/the-personal-support-unit/ • https://www.advicenow.org.uk/affordable-advice-help-family-problems • https://rightsofwomen.org.uk/get-advice/ 1 Improving local people’s opportunities in health, employment and community life since 1992 Weekly Newsletter Edition 65, 13 May 2021 WEP Regent’s Park Walk – Join Us! I’m sure everybody’s really looking forward to resuming face-to-face activities! It is amazing what we’ve been through in the last year; surviving the lockdown is surely a reason to celebrate. It’s finally time to meet up and socialise! We could all do with a bit of fresh air and some good company, which is why we’re organising a leisurely celebratory walk on Tuesday 25 May 2021, suitable for all fitness levels. Our plan is to stroll along our glorious Regent's Park, which is certainly full of pleasant surprises and represents a constant source of inspiration for locals and tourists alike, as well as incredible photo opportunities. Many people visit the park all year round, stop there for refreshments, relax on the benches or lie on the grass and enjoy the views and the peace and quiet, or simply watch the world go by. One can never get tired of exploring this impressive park, enjoying the variety of its landscaped gardens and everything else it has to offer, and the list of options seems to be endless. It is perhaps not easy to imagine that it was once the Forest of Middlesex and a royal hunting ground teeming with deer during Henry VIII’s reign! A couple of centuries later it was divided into farms that supplied London with milk and hay. By 1811 when George IV became Prince Regent, London development had reached what had once been isolated farmland. The Park now contains London Zoo, ornamental gardens, sport facilities, Open Air Theatre, playgrounds, cafés and an artificial lake that attracts a large number of birds and water fowl. One of the unique things Regent’s Park has to offer is Music for Trees. It is a free app offering original pieces of music, specially composed to be listened to under the trees in an area of Regent’s Park, and it gives you an opportunity to discover the calming and immersive combination of nature and sound. Inspired by one of Regent’s Park’s tree specialists, a collaboration was established with the Royal Academy of Music, who created compositions based on each tree. You can see the trees up close in a new way, learn more about them through the information on the app, or just close your eyes and let the music take you away. Interested in joining our walk? Email [email protected] to book your place. WEP Black Dog Theatre Creation Update I hope that everyone is still keeping well. Over the past couple of weeks we have been working with Artist Jacob Anderson from the Central School of Speech and Drama. He has been teaching us how to make our own Ancient Greek Theatre Masks. We started off making a chorus mask before creating our own Greek character masks before devising a short performance on Zoom. Here are some little pictures from our masks “in working progress”. We're always looking for new members so if you enjoy learning new creative skills, performing, meeting new people and having fun then please do get in touch. Our workshops currently run on Zoom on Tuesdays 1.00pm - 2.00pm. Email: [email protected] 2 Improving local people’s opportunities in health, employment and community life since 1992 Weekly Newsletter Edition 65, 13 May 2021 How To Rehearse Online With The Regent’s Park Singers Mondays, 7.30pm – 9.00pm (excludes Bank Holidays) 1. Get comfy and have some water to hand. Make sure you are happy with your visible surroundings (you can choose to turn off your camera if you prefer, but it feels more friendly the more faces we can see). 2. To see lyrics, go here: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1M9sTiMuib4KSN5LsbIZGCTh_MB1lVZiZ. 3. To join the rehearsal click the link below and enter the passcode below. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85889500990?pwd=b3BkM0xSemx3ZU5uc0VGSGk2SjdEZz09. Meeting ID: 858 8950 0990 / Passcode: 833379 Once the singing starts, you will spend much of the time on mute because the time delay prevents us from singing in sync. Wave/raise your hand for attention or use the chat. Show how you’re doing with a gesture (thumbs up/thumbs down). Sound problems? • Make sure your computer’s sound input and output is on. • Turn off alert sounds in your system settings so you won’t be interrupted. • For best results, use headphones. WEP Online Study Support For Young People Tuesdays, 5.00pm - 7.00pm, online Study Support sessions for young people aged 11 - 16 during term time. These are virtual sessions via Zoom. Young people are supported by volunteer tutors with a business or university background. If you’re interested or know of anyone who might be interested in attending and getting help with their studies/homework please get in touch by email - [email protected]. WEP Employability Help With the lockdown restrictions gradually easing there is even more reason to continue career planning and preparing. WEP's Career Advice Service is even more determined to ensure residents remain on track to achieve their training goals and keep them informed of any job opportunities through its excellent network of partners. The service will also continue to provide help with writing CVs and covering letters as well as guidance on completing application forms. It will continue to run its excellent virtual workshops so that people can keep developing their core skills and become "job ready". Please contact our qualified careers advisor David Hermanstein for further information and to book an appointment. You can contact David on 07908845154 or [email protected] 3 Improving local people’s opportunities in health, employment and community life since 1992 Weekly Newsletter Edition 65, 13 May 2021 Westminster Kingsway College ESOL Classes At WEP Westminster Kingsway College’s English / ESOL classes are enrolling for the summer term (April to July 2021). If you know someone who needs to study English, they can email [email protected] to enrol. The courses are 2 days in class and 2 days online (the college can help if you don't have a laptop and/or good WiFi connection or if you need childcare for your child). Let Fabienne know when you enrol. Do not hesitate to contact her so she can make you an appointment for assessment and enrolment. WEP’s Cycling Projects Are Back! Over 50 and fancy cycling with others? Why not try out our Silver Cycling project. We have electric bikes and specially adapted bikes to make your ride fun and easy. Ability Bikes is a safe and fun way for people over the age of 11 who have physical or learning disabilities and want to cycle. Silver Cycling restarted on Tuesday 11 May 2021, 11.00am – 2.00pm and Ability Bikes is restarting on Saturday 22 May 2021, 11.00am – 2.00pm both at Regent’s Park. Email [email protected] to book in advance. WEP Online Tai Chi Classes Every Thursday, online, from 1.45pm. How to participate in WEP’s Tai Chi classes online using Zoom: 1. Complete this set up before the meeting is due to start. 2. Get comfy and have some water to hand. Make sure you are happy with your visible surroundings (you can choose to turn off your camera if you prefer, but it allows me to help you if I can see you).